Anisodontea capensis
Cape African Queen, South African mallow
Also known as Anisodontea x hypomadara
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This rather tender perennial cannot safely over-winter out of doors except in a mild area. Elsewhere, it is best grown in a container and brought out for summer. The plant has woody chestnut brown stems and small, bright green, lobed leaves. From June to October it has a smattering of little round, hibiscus-like flowers coloured pinkish purple, magenta at their heart, and with protruding centres. The whole plant is rather airy looking, with lots of space between branches, leaves and flowers. One well-known garden writer calls it 'dreary', but I think it has a pleasant overall warmth to it. So judge for yourself!
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - mid-late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Pinch out growing tips
On young plants pinch out foliage tips to encourage a pleasant and bushy growth habit.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Planting
Protect from winter cold
Bring the plant into a frost-free area before frosts occur, and do not put them outside until all danger of frost is past. Follow watering instructions, or allow the plant a period of dormancy during the winter.
Plants need to be brought inside in cold areas, i.e. colder than zone 8.
Found in
More Anisodontea
Anisodontea
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